News 2-2011
1-2011 2-2011 3-2011 4-2011 5-2011 overview
The „Decade to Overcome Violence“ (DOV) is coming to an end
On the occasion of the “World Sunday for Peace”, which will take place on 22 May 2011, the World Council of Churches (WCC) calls to celebrate peace, to hold a peace vigil, to plant a tree as an act of peace or to use social media for the purpose of peace. Pastor Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, the secretary general of the WCC illustrates that “every tree planted will become a lasting symbol of our collective endeavour (...)”. With this “World Sunday for Peace” the “Decade to Overcome Violence” (DOV) is coming to an end. For almost ten years Horyzon has been planting trees of peace in the area of Bethlehem and Hebron in the West Bank – and you can become a supporter of peace too. For each tree, which will be planted on the “World Sunday for Peace”, we will show our thankfulness by sending you one of the popular olive tree calendars 2012.
Yes, I would like to plant an olive tree as a sign of peace!
Increasing number of asylum seekers – also from North Africa
The 13th of April 2011, the “Tagesschau” published an article concerning the actual numbers of asylum seekers from January to March 2011. 4371 persons handed in their demands for asylum. Compared to 2010, this represents an augmentation of 18.1%. After asylum seekers from North African country, an important number comes from the Balkan states. The Federal Office for Migration raises the question of socio-economic less of perspective since the nineties as main reason for the high number of asylum seekers. This is exactly where the work of Horyzon is originated. Horyzon - in cooperation with the European YMCA - funds the development of national and local youth organisations. The YMCA trains local youth leaders to organize and realize youth programs themselves. So for example in Bulgaria, where leaders are active in orphanages and education work with the young Roma. The youth work – according to the respective needs – allows experiencing democracy on a small scale. This is of big importance for the future stability of the Balkans.
Tagesschau, 13th of April 2011 (in german)
Project of Horyzon in the Balkan States
Workshop: Youth organisations and the global development partnership
The Swiss National Youth Council (SNYC) offers a unique workshop concerning the construction of a global development partnership: How can young people help to create a global development partnership and participate to global equity? The workshop, presenting the National Youth Council of Cameron and of Gabon, will take place Saturday, 14th of Mai 2011, 10.00-16.45 o’clock in Bern. It is open to everybody interested in development work and youth organisations, no entry fee required. Inscriptions can be done on the website: http://www.y4d.ch until the 9th of March 2011. There will be a simultaneous translation for German and French.
From Switzerland to China by bike
Sabine, a girl from YMCA Herzogenbuchsee, has just started an important project. From the beginning of April on, she is going to travel by bike from Switzerland to China trough Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Albany, Bulgaria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kirgizstan. The first 2'000 km are already done. Within 6 months, Sabine will bike over 10’000 km. On her way, she is going to visit Horyzon partners to tell them about the YMCA/YWCA in Switzerland and to experience the international network. Besides, every kilometre is worth a cent which she will donate to the project “Development of youth programmes in the Balkan States”. Anybody who wants to support Sabine can contact her by email ciclone@il-ciclone.ch or via Horyzon info@horyzon.ch. On her arrival in Shanghai, the kilometer indicator will be stopped. Information about Sabine, her travel stories and the actual number of kilometers done can be found on http://www.il-ciclone.ch.
